Slab and sawdust burner formed of prefabricated panel sections



Nov. 14, 1950 c. v. sAss 2,530,208

SLAB AND SAWDUST BURNER FORMED 0F PREFABRICATED PANEL SECTIONS Filed June 23, 1948 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Chesier V. Sass.

A TTORNE YS.

Nov. 14, 1950 c, v, s ss 2,530,208

SLAB AND SAWDUST BURNER FORMED 0F PREFABRICATED PANEL SECTIONS Filed June 23, 1948 .5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Cbsfer V ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 14, 1950 t. \I. SASS SLAB AND SAWDUST BURNE ORMED 0F PREFABRICATED PANEL TIONS Filed June 2 3, I948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 C/msz erV. xsdss.

yudlwb/q A T TORNE YS Filed 'Jfine 23, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 14, 1950 S. v. SASS 2,530,208

SLAB AND SAWDUST BURNER FORMED 0F PREFABRICATED PANEL SECTIONS,

ChesZerV. Sass.

m I \64 ZQMMZS 6mm! ATTORNE vs Nov. 14, 1950 c, v. s ss 2,530,208

SLAB AND SAWDUST BURNER FORMED 0F PREFABRICATED PANEL SECTIONS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 23 1948 cheslerv 808s.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 14, 1950 SLAB AND SAWDUST BURNER FORMED OF PREFABRICATED PANEL SECTIONS Chester V. Sass, Bedding, Calif.

Application June 23, 1948, Serial No. 34,613

My invention relates to a slab and sawdust burner, and an object thereof is to provide a fireproof structure of relatively conical or frustoconical formation having a lower body or barrel and a dome-like top or dome screen to catch any sparks that may escapeor rise to the top of the structure which contains anatural or forced draft blower system in the center at'the ground level or bottom with means around the wall of the structure to supply and create a draft of atmospheric air in a circular path around the material being burned to facilitate combustion; means to supply such material to be deposited into the burner from above the blower and draft means; spark arrestersat the top of the dome framework and below the dome to check'the passage of sparks and combustion material being consumed within the device, an annular cold air admission vent opening entirely around the structure above the lower or secondary spark arrester beneath the dome, with interior and exterior frusto-iunnel cones, baffles or aprons at the top and bottom, arranged to syphon and deflect the entering cold air into the top or upper portion of the structure under the dome and between the dome and secondary arresters, in an upward direction or angle to reduce smoke and insure proper incineration without escaping sparks and hazards thereof.

Another object is to provide a slab and sawdust burner for waste wood and sawdust of a lumber mill orplant where logs are trimmed and cut into lumber or articles of wood manufactured or other refuse, comprising a circular upwardly tapered or cone-like frame structure with a dome supported on and anchored to the body or barrel framework with a wire mesh spark arrester dome, and made up of a series ofpanels or sections tapering upwardly and comprising upright legs or beams such as angle iron with sheet iron covering skin or sheeting between pairs thereof forming panels which are bolted together to form a circular wall and braced at the inside by horizontal circular braces between the legs or beams and bracing frames beneath the dome in vertical ly spaced relation and formed of radial trusses and chord braces therebetween or otherwise, the lower frame adapted to support a spark arrester screen which with the dome forms spark arresters in addition to facilitating the assembly of the structure varying from 20' to 9G or more in diameter and height and supported On a concrete foundationv or base comprising embedded footing blocks in which the legs or beams are embes'ided,- the wall having a circular series of 2 Claims, (Cl. 11018)' spaced draft doors and deflectors set angularly in alternate panels around the bottomof the wall to deflect the current of cool entering air in'a circular whirling or spiral gradually upwardly moving current or path around the interior of the burner wall which produces approximately or considerably more efficient and complete combustion of burning particles due to the greater distance traveled and greater amount of oxygen provided together with a maximum cooling efiect on the surrounding .or side wall of the burner and screens, while an annular air syphon draft vent is provided below the dome with inner and outer baiiies for deflecting the entering cold air inward- 1y at an upward angle to cause a break-up of the up-draft andforce more complete combustion in the lower part of the burner as well as having a cooling effect on the upper part of the cone barrel and dome and belay the sparks below the arresters, while a ladder is provided from the ground to the top of the dome and a fenced in catwalk aroundthe walk below the screened dome for observation, inspection, repair or cleanmg,

A further object is to provide a conveyor means to feed slabs, sawdust or shavings to be consumed, especially inwoods of a resinous character such as Douglas finland ponderosa pine or other wood such as redwood, hemlock, larch, tamarack, white-fir and other non-resinous wood, anda clover leaf blower or burner-tunnel with draft doors at the ends of a cross-shaped tunnel-structureto control the admission of draft air to the grates for regulating combustion.

A still further object isto provide a burner structure of the character stated comprising prefabricated panel sections, transportable and capable of being quickly erected or set up and bolted together in the field or on the job where the burner structure is to be erected with the aid of a portable derrick whilelthe vertical sections are set on a foundation and braced near the top and dome with horizontal spider frames comprising trusses and braces forming relatively circular structures'against which the panel sections are laid and secured to form a frusto-conical or barrel-like .body forming a cone-like enclosure or wall on which the dome frame and screen are set at the top and secured, draft entrance and deflecting door openings at the base or ground level and a syphon draft channel or opening spaced below the dome, said spider frames supporting the dome frame and a secondary or lower spark arresterscreen in vertically spaced relation below the screen dome to insure against fire hazard of escaping sparks.

Another object is to provide a burner with nat ural or forced draft systems and grates over which the waste material or refuse is burned or consumed to facilitate combustion, the structure of the burner being supported on a solid concrete foundation in the former case and on prefabricated and embedded concrete blocks in the latter case, with grates supported on fire brick for the burning of the material thereover.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in the arrangement, combination and details of construction disclosed in the drawings and specification, and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a slab and sawdust burner embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1 with the outer part of the burner broken away a short distance below the section,

Figure 3 is a detail of a radial truss of a spider frame or horizontal brace structure employed near the upper part and dome of the burner,

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional plan showing a forced draft system,

.Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional elevation showing the base and anchoring for the burner wall structure thereon,

, Figure 6 is a detail sectional elevation taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1,

Figure 7 is a plan view of a burner structure foundation and natural draft system,

Figure 8 is a detail section taken on the line 88 of Figure 1,

Figure 9 is a section taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 5,

Figure 10 is an enlarged section taken on the line l0--l0 of Figure 7,

Figure 11 is a bottom view of one of the grates employed in the natural draft system as seen in Figures '7 and 10,

Figure 12 is a detail fragmentary vertical section showing the dome anchoring means, catwalk and ladder,

, Figure 13 i a detail vertical section at the syphon draft opening and bailles,

Figure 14 is an end elevation taken on the line 14-! of Figure 4 showing one of the grates employed with the forced draft system shown in Figures 1 and 4; and

Figure 15 is an elevation of the natural draft system shown in Figure 7.

Figure 16 is an inverted sectional view taken substantially along the line lB-IG of Figure 11 as viewed in the direction indicated by the ar- Referring to the drawings, l0 designates the burner in its entirety, comprising a coneik enclosure or wall structure including a frusto-conical or barrel-like body II and a dome I2. Body II is made up of prefabricated fireproof panels or panel sections l3 tapering from the bottom to top and comprising spaced upright legs, ribs or beams [4 formed of side bars l5 of angle iron or otherwise with their flanges H5 at the outside extending peripherally and inwardly extending vertical side flanges I1 preferably wider than flanges IS, the flanges I! of adjacent sections l3 being disposed as seen in Figure 8 in abutting relation back to back at each leg and bolted together on the job when erected in the field at suitable spaced intervals such as three feet maxi- 4 mum, as at 18. Panel sheets 19 such as l4, IE or other gage sheet iron or other suitable fireproof and fire-resisting material are placed between the inner faces of th flanges I! of upwardly converging pairs of side bars I5 in overlapping relation or overlying the inner faces of the flanges I6 and welded or otherwise secured thereto to form a circular wall when erected. Bars I5 of the legs or beams M are connected at suitable vertically spaced intervals preferably at the three foot maximum, including the top and bottom, with horizontal connecting and bracing members or ribs 20 consisting of flat bars arcuate or straight welded or otherwise anchored at their ends to the vertical angle bars [5 at the inside thereof and the panel sheets l9 to form rigid panel frames or sections. Thus, when the panel sections are bolted together to form a circular wall structure, the panel sheets I!) may be flat or assume a curved form to produce a circular solid or imperforate wall except as hereinafter described. Also, sheets [9 may be in one or more sections or meet at their horizontal edges or at the horizontal ribs 20, this being optional as long as the members and sheets are substantially secured or welded together and in place to produce strong rigid panel sections.

The legs or beams 14 terminate at the bottom of the dome I2 which is fastened or anchored to the top rim of the body at the legs l4 and comprises a framework including similar dome legs or bows 2! of like angle iron bars 22 curved to the radius of the dome. The upper ends of bars 22 of bows 2! meet at the center of the dome at the top and are joined or bolted to the upper ends of legs [4 with which they align vertically as at 23, such as through horizontal connecting braces 24 and the top horizontal bracing members or ribs 20 at the upper ends of the panels l3, said bows I3 converging substantially to a point at the top Where they are joined to a vertical axial or center support or stool 25 which may be a tube or framework of steel members, through the medium of a center flange or top plate 26 to which bows 2] are also anchored at their upper ends.

The panel sections I3 are laid against and welded or otherwise anchored to a circular framework or spider frame 21 spaced below the top of the body or barrel of the burner and comprising alternating radial steel trusses 2B and 29, the former extending to the center and bearing plates or hub 38 bolted at 3! to top and bottom center flanges or plates 32 and the latter being shorter and terminating short of the center and inner ends of trusses 28. The trusses 28 and 29 comprise spaced upper and lower bars 33 of angle bars or otherwise, such as flat, angle or channel bars for the trusses 29 which terminate at the innermost of a plurality, preferably two, of radially spaced circular series of horizontal flat steel cross braces 34 on edge vertically between trusses 23 and 29 and in line in each circular series, between and connecting the bars 33 of radial trusses 28 spaced from the outer and inner ends thereof as partial chords of arcs thereof between the trusses, preferably spaced apart at a three foot maximum. A plurality of diagonal braces 35 are also arranged between the upper and lower radial bars 33 of trusses 28 and 29, preferably between the diagonally opposite upper and lower edges of bars 34 from the center bearing outwardly and obtuse angled bends where the upper bars 33 converge, slope or incline outwardly and downwardly at their outer end por- .a-zssropos .tions'as at736 :to zmeet :or join the outer 'end'szof the-flower: :bars 33 to which. they are anchored as by-"welding or otherwise in thesame :manner that the various bars .ofztheframework ofsthe "various trusses 28 and :291are :connectedas will he readilyunderstood by;experts .in the'art. The :outeraends of trusses 2-8 and 29 of framework 21 have the-legs, beams :or ribs I 4 thereof secured :theretoiby weldingorsotherwise to support frame- "work 21 at'the ;proper elevationrsome 6' :to 10 :down from the top'of thezbarrel or body :H despendingt'on :the .size :of :the. :burner and upper ,sectionstlt .may vary between 7' 10%" wide :at

the Zbottom and tapering to a lesser :width at the -:tp ;or upper @ends thereof. and :of :the 'bodysof the wall structure of-zthe burnezyin somewhat conical .ordrusto-conicalshape asshown and described, respeciailly-inll'igure .1 of the drawings. With the ;;fianges 1-1 ofthe angleironbars I:of'eachpanel gsectionedge or two anglebars bolted together ;.ba ck. to back. or flange toflange at each :leg H! a very strong and rigid construction capable of expeditious andleconomical production inquantities is-available and transportationto the' required destination for erection in the field on the. ground at the mill or factor-y on trucks Ora-flat -cars,is

-no serious problem.

The framework 21 in addition to 'being anchored toribs or legs I4, is supportedfrom the axial :center support or stool 25 and trusses of :a

dome screen framework or spider frame 31 placed .at the top of the barrel or body H and comprising a horizontal circular framework -or 3 spider frame somewhat similar to framework -27 .,located some ,6 to l0therebeneath. The frame- --ivork '3] consists of .similar radial steel trusses such as described in connection with'the framework 2-], except that the upper bars 33 are straight or rectilinear and the lower bars 33 converge toward the outer ends of the upper bars from .the center plates-or hub 30 to thus incline or slope inwardly to the bottom plate 32 of hub :30and onlytwo radially spacedpircular series of horizontal :fiat steel'cross braces .34 on edge ver ti cally between thetrusses 28 and Hand in line .inl each series are provided centrally of their lengths and at their inner ends with diagonal braces-35 therebetween from the upper edges of the inner cross braces to the lower edges ofthe outer braces 35 and welded or otherwise anchored thereto as previously described. -The .dome framework is covered with suitablescreen .38 such as No. 4 mesh 14 gauge wire cloth'or otherwise to form a primary spark arrester and on the :framework 21 a second lower screen 39 such as No. .16 mesh, 16 gauge wire cloth .or otherwise is provided to cover the same and gformasecondary spark arrester and its framev.work may be considered a secondary framework .or;truss structure and the framework or truss .-.structure :31 the j primary or dome spark. arrester.

Flu

'. support same.

6 .A goatwalk way panel or floor "140 supported-on suitable angle or L-bars is. provided around the topof the body .or barrel. II, with safety ;up-

:right rail posts 42 anchored thereto and diagonal inwardly sloping braces 43 :extendingand anchored to the ribs or legs 14 therebeneathto Posts 4| are3connected .by rails 44 acting as a safety guard rail orpanelinconnection with the posts. A vertical ladder 45 is anchored by braces 46 to apanel l3 and extends through a :flangedopening 41 in panel or floor to pass onto and off of .ortabove and below the catwalk as the ladder extends fromnear the ground onzafooting=48 of any suitable type to the top ofthe dome 12 at the center thereof wherexit is anchoredas described. A' syphon draft "opening 49 preferably 2' high, is provided entirely around the body immediately above the secondary framework 2'! so that inclined portions 36 thereof. are located immediately below the opening through the burner Wall. Inclined portions 36 support a. similarly inclinedannular sheet iron syphon cone, .bafile or deflector wall .50 around the interior of the :body or barrel .of .the burner wall to deflect air entering or syphoned into the interior .or combustion space upwardly and inwardly through the opening 49. Syphon cone or bafiie 5-0 cooperates with.:an annular sheet iron .funnel cone,,.baifie or apron 5| "of angular formation if desired .andanchoredas at 52 near the top edgeitosecti'ons l3 orwall plates I 9 and ribs, legs or beams 14 or .otherwise,:and extending outwardly in inclined position from the wall or body I] at 'thetop'of annular opening 49 parallel to cone 5!) to form an'annular channel therebetween vat'the 'syphon draft opening 49 both around the entire circumference of the barrel, to draw cool air' to the inside'and upperpart of the burner. This currentof cool air causes 'a-belayan'ce; or break-up of'the updraft within the :burner 'body and forces snore complete combustion .inthe lower part of the burner in which the slabs,.sawdust,- shavings or other waste material :is burned or incinerated and consumed as will be hereinafter describedin detail by .referenceto burner grates'and draft bottom of the body .I thinged at 55=at one side edge of ea-ch door openingdn'alt'ernate panel walls l9 andrhingedztheretoat and between the pairs of upper and lower .ribs .20 :as seen in Figures 1 and 6. Inside .of .each.door openingat'the free edge of-each draft door'filis a baflle v56 anchored inside the-walls I9 of :panels 'l3 at ribs Ill-and extending uinwardly inn-a direction partially over the openings opposite :the -doors 54 b'ut substantially parallel thGI'GtO 'SOYthat the cool air currents-entering the interior of the burner body or barrel through these door openings cause a whirling-or spiral gradually upwardly moving path or current of air which. produces :.considerably more emcient and tcomplete combustion of burn'ing'particles-due to. the several trips thereof around the interioroftheburner spirally before starting orzonijtsiupwardmourse. This feature allows approximately 90% or more complete combustion before the particles reach the syphon draft current through opening 49 and bothhave a cooling effect on the sides of the body or barrel and the spark'arresters or screens as well as the horizontal frameworks or spider frames and parts of the burner cone body and dome structure, and especially the lower or secondary spark arrester and its screen which is nearest the burning material, so that sparks are also effectively prevented or eliminated and reduced, especially preventing sparks escaping through the arrester "eter as the body at the bottom, and embedded in or filled with the ground and to which the sections, panels or staves l3 of the burner structure are anchored or fastened as at 58 by angle plates or the like 59 bolted, riveted or welded thereto and constituting or having foot plates 60 bolted or anchored in the base 57 of concrete as by anchor bolts 6| embedded in th base or foundation. This base or foundation may be concrete blocks 62 arranged in spaced circular series or a concrete wall 63 which may be enlarged toward or at the bottom as at 64 to firmly anchor same and to resist, preclude or prevent withdrawal thereof from the ground.

A natural or forced draft system may be employed to facilitate and assist combustion of the waste material being burned by supplying the proper amount of atmospheric air and oxygen to the main part of the fire. Both are of clover leaf or substantially plural forked or branch formation. As seen in Figures 1, 4 and 14, the forced draft system for the burner includes a suitable blower 65 arranged on the ground exteriorly' of thefoundation whether a solid wall or pillow blocks as described and is driven by a'suitable motor such asan electric motor 68. The outlet of the blower is connected to 'a radial blower pipe '61 extending to the center of the burner embedded in the ground where it is provided with a "suitable clover leaf formation provided with a plurality of radial branches B8 terminating in upward extensions or outlets 69 over which inverted U-shaped cast iron grates 70 are mounted at the ground surface and provided with a plurality of holes H through which the air is forced -by the lower fan at the center of the'burner and fire to facilitate combustion and insure substantially complete consumption of the waste material by supplying plenteous atmospheric air or oxygen to the fire. The foundation may be filled with earth or gravel. 1 In the form disclosed in Figure 7, '10, 11 and 15, the solid wall foundation is embedded in the ground to support the burner, the Wall of which rests thereon and is anchored thereto in the manner previously described. This wall is provided with two tunnels H intersecting each other at right angles at the center of the burner and .'providing draft tunnels or channels 12 open at the ground level. The parallel side walls of the draft channels 12 are provided with suitable bases 13 by which they are anchored and con- U-shaped or channel cross section rest. The ends 18 of the grate bars are reduced in thickness and fiat to rest upon the fire bricks 16 so as to span the channels between the walls 'of the tuniii 8 nels. These grate bars are also provided with a plurality of holes 19 through which the air entering the channels or tunnels may pass to the fire from below. The ends of the tunnels open through the foundation wall and are provided with door openings closed by vertically adjustable doors 8! to control the draft, so that the proper volume of atmospheric air and oxygen may enter the tunnels through the channels thereof and pass upwardly through the grates to insure proper combustion. The fire bricks will permit the foundation and tunnel walls to withstand the heat of the fire which would not be possible if the grates rested directly on the concrete of the tunnels and the height of the walls and width of the tunnels, as well as the size of the grates, will vary to the size of the burner to be installed, and the local condition. Both the solid wall foundation and the blocks will give sufficient base support for the burner structure, and where blocks are employed, each block Will weigh approximately 300 pounds'with sufiicient square feet area to carry the maximum load of approximately 620 pounds per square foot of bearing surface and since the poorest soils will support approximately 1000 pounds per square foot of surface, it will be seen that ample leeway will be given to support even the largest size burner which as previously stated will vary between 20' and or more in diameter and height. Also, any suitable means may be provided to feed the slabs, sawdust, shavings or other waste material from the mill or factory to the burner at some distance therefrom sufficiently safe to avoid exposure to excessive heat and reduce fire hazard, such as an elevated conveyor 82 shown as the endless type suitably supported at the proper height upon standards or the like 83 with suitable bases 84 in the ground, certain portions of the panels of the body wall structure I I bein omitted where the elevated conveyor 82 enters the same in order to cotninuously or otherwise feed the waste material to the burner for consumption. However, it is to be understood that a blower or other form of conveyor such as a screw conveyor, may be employed in lieu of the endless conveyor described and indicated in Figure 1 of the drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention. Of course, where a blower or screw conveyor is employed, the same is designed primarily to feed sawdust, shavings or other comminuted material to the interior of the burner and usually, the endless type of conveyor is employed for one burner which takes slabs or other larger particles of waste material to be consumed and a blower or screw conveyor for the sawdust, shavings or other smaller particles to be burned. By the construction described it will be evident that with the foundation prepared, and the sections transported to the place where the burner is to be erected, they may be readily laid against the framework 21 by means of a derrick and suitably anchored thereto and to the foundation to form the body H, after which the upper framework 3! may be placed in position or placed on the body in connection with the dome framework or the entire dome [2 with the screen thereon. Of course, where the secondary screen is employed in connection with the framework 21 it is secured in position upon this framework initially and the sections or staves forming thepanels'of the body lie thereagainst, so that when the dome is placed in position with the primary spark arrester formed by its screen the entire structure will be assembled sincethe catwalk around the top of the body is secured during the erection of the panels and the ladder also secured to one panel and to the dome framework so as to complete the structure quickly and economically.

I do not mean to confine myself to the exact details of construction herein disclosed but claim all variations falling within the purview of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A burner of the class described comprising a substantially frusto-conical body formed of prefabricated panel sections tapering upwardly and joined in abutting relation, said body being open at the top, a dome frame on and anchored to the body over the open top, a screen covering over the dome frame, horizontal frameworks within the body against which said panel sections are laid and anchored, one of said frameworks adapted to support a screen, a clover leaf draft air supply means at the bottom of the body having grates,

said body adapted to rest on and be anchored to' a foundation embedded in the ground, the body having spaced openings around the same at the bottom, doors for said openings adapted to be set at an outward angle, baffles extending at an angle inwardly from the openings at the sides thereof opposite the doors, said body having a continuous opening therethrough around the same spaced from the top, and spaced apart inner and outer frusto-conical baifles for deflecting the air entering said opening upwardly at the inside.

2. A burner of the class described comprising a substantially frusto-conical body formed of prefabricated panel sections tapering upwardly and joined in abutting relation and having longitudinal and transverse ribs forming a frame, wall sheets of fireproof material secured thereon, said body being open at the top, a dome frame on and anchored to the body over the open top, a screen covering over the dome frame, horizontal frameworks within the body against which said panel sections are laid and anchored, one of said frameworks adapted to support a screen, a clover leaf draft air supply means at the bottom of the body having grates, said body adapted to rest on and be anchored to a foundation embedded in the ground, the body having spaced openings around the same through the panel sections at the bottom, hinged doors for said openings adapted to be set at an outward angle, baflles extending at an angle inwardly from the openings at the sides thereof opposite the hinged edges of the doors, said body having a continuous opening therethrough around the same spaced from the top, frusto-conical baffles extending at an incline in substantially parallel relation at the inside from the bottom of said latter opening and outside at the top thereof for deflecting the air entering said opening upwardly at the inside.

CHESTER V. SASS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 669,693 Harry Mar. 12, 1901 1,084,531 Boardman Jan. 13, 1914 1,339,729 Walsh May 11, 1920 1,622,431 Fiegenbaum Mar. 29, 1927 2,041,535 Frisch May 19, 1936 2,387,005 Boedecker Oct. 16, 1945 

